By P.R. Pradhan
The above four decades-long togetherness between me and Shrish S Rana, as my media warden, ended with the demise of the latter on 31 December 2022.
Several months ago, Rana phoned me saying, “Pushpajee, give me a leave for six weeks as I cannot contribute to the People’s Review”.
Rana also informed that he was suffering from cancer and going to Delhi for treatment.
After his return from Delhi, we had a brief meeting and he expressed confidence that he would overcome the deadly disease and will live for the next 14-15 years.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go well with him. Two weeks ago, I visited him at the King Birendra Nepal Army Hospital but could not chat as he was not in a position to speak.
We were acquainted with each other 40 years ago when he was contesting the election to the post of president of the Journalists’ Association of Nepal. During that time, I was publishing Samrachana vernacular weekly. Rana, with some other friends, including Durga Pokhrel, was bringing out “Manas” and “National Star” weeklies. For the record, these two weeklies had introduced a chapter of the modern era in Nepali journalism by introducing interview columns, side chats and free and impartial political analysis giving space to people from different political ideologies.
However, the venture didn’t become successful due to financial reasons.
Rana helped me a lot when I launched People’s Review English weekly. He became a regular contributor for the Weekly along with his column “Kathmandu Calling”.
Rana introduced me to M.R. Josse and he asked Josse to help me. Gradually, we developed a strong team of patriotic journalists.
Rana, a gold medalist in Masters of Political Science at Tribhuvan University, started his career in journalism as the deputy editor of The Rising Nepal, and also became chairman and general manager of the government-owned Gorkhapatra Corporation.
During his tenure as the chairman and general manager, Rana introduced the computer technology by ending the traditional hand-compose era.
Rana also had planned to use the present Corporation building at Bhugol Park as a business complex by shifting the printing plant and editorial office outside the Ringroad. The Corporation had also procured land for this purpose.
Rana, to use the wasted newsprints, started publishing Sunday Despatch, an English weekly published by the Corporation.
Following the 1990 political change, he tendered his resignation on the moral ground.
Later, for a brief period, he became the state minister for information and communications. During his short tenure as the minister, Rana introduced a “one-window advertisement policy” with the idea of financially supporting tabloid newspapers run by working journalists ending the monopoly of those broadsheet newspapers run by corporate houses.
We have lost an important member of our team. Rana’s demise indeed is a great loss to the nation, who loved for nation above all.
On this sad occasion, we pray to the Almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul and extend heartfelt condolences to Dewa Bhauju and his two sons.
Moreover, M.R. Josse, Consultant Editor Emeritus of this Weekly, wrote a piece in memory of the late Rana.
Josse wrote, “This is dedicated to the memory of Shrish Shumshere Rana, my good friend and former colleague who passed away in Kathmandu Saturday following an extended period of illness”.
“Shrish, whose life was so tragically cut short, was, at various times, a great pal, an astute editor, and ever a fount of thoughtful political ideas”.
“He was, above all, an ardent monarchist, who steadfastly maintained that the journey out of Nepal’s current mess must begin with the restoration of the 1990 Constitution”.
“On this sad occasion, Sabita joins me in expressing heartfelt condolences to his heartbroken widow Diwa, his two grieving sons and all members of the bereaved family”.
“We pray that the departed’s soul rests in everlasting tranquility”.
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